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Babies and mothers worldwide failed by lack of investment in breastfeeding

New analysis shows an investment of US$4.70 per
newborn could generate US$300 billion in economic gains by 2025

GENEVA/NEW YORK, 1 August 2017 – No country in the world fully meets recommended standards
for breastfeeding, according to a new report by UNICEF and the World Health
Organization (WHO) in collaboration with the Global Breastfeeding Collective, a new initiative to increase global breastfeeding rates.

The Global Breastfeeding Scorecard, which evaluated 194 nations, found that only 40 per cent
of children younger than six months are breastfed exclusively (given nothing
but breast milk) and only 23 countries have exclusive breastfeeding rates above
60 per cent.

Evidence shows that breastfeeding has cognitive and
health benefits for both infants and their mothers. It is especially critical
during the first six months of life, helping prevent diarrhoea and pneumonia, two
major causes of death in infants. Mothers who breastfeed have a reduced risk of
ovarian and breast cancer, two leading causes of death among women.

“Breastfeeding gives babies the best possible start
in life,” said Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of WHO.
“Breastmilk works like a baby’s first vaccine, protecting infants from
potentially deadly diseases and giving them all the nourishment they need to
survive and thrive.”

The scorecard was released at the
start of World Breastfeeding Week alongside a new analysis demonstrating that
an annual investment of only US$4.70 per newborn is required to increase the
global rate of exclusive breastfeeding among children under six months to 50
per cent by 2025.

Nurturing the Health and Wealth of Nations: The Investment Case for
Breastfeeding, suggests that meeting this
target could save the lives of 520,000 children under the age of five and potentially
generate US$300 billion in economic gains over 10 years, as a result of reduced
illness and health care costs and increased productivity.

“Breastfeeding is one of the most effective – and
cost effective – investments nations can make in the health of their youngest
members and the future health of their economies and societies,” said UNICEF
Executive Director Anthony Lake. “By failing to invest in breastfeeding, we are
failing mothers and their babies – and paying a double price: in lost lives and
in lost opportunity.”

The investment case shows that in five of the
world’s largest emerging economies—China, India, Indonesia, Mexico and
Nigeria—the lack of investment in breastfeeding results in an estimated 236,000
child deaths per year and US$119 billion in economic losses.

Globally, investment in breastfeeding is far too
low. Each year, governments in lower- and middle-income countries spend
approximately US$250 million on breastfeeding programs; and donors provide only
an additional US$85 million.

The Global Breastfeeding Collective is calling on
countries to:

Increase funding to raise breastfeeding rates from birth through two
years.

Fully implement the International Code of Marketing of Breast-milk
Substitutes and relevant World Health Assembly resolutions through strong legal
measures that are enforced and independently monitored by organizations free
from conflicts of interest.

Enact paid family leave and workplace breastfeeding policies, building on
the International Labour Organization’s maternity protection guidelines as a
minimum requirement, including provisions for the informal sector.

Implement the Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding in maternity
facilities, including providing breastmilk for sick and vulnerable newborns.

Improve access to skilled breastfeeding counselling as part of
comprehensive breastfeeding policies and programmes in health facilities.

Strengthen links between health facilities and communities, and encourage
community networks that protect, promote, and support breastfeeding.

Strengthen monitoring systems that track the progress of policies,
programmes, and funding towards achieving both national and global
breastfeeding targets.

Breastfeeding is critical for the achievement of many of
the Sustainable Development Goals. It improves nutrition (SDG2), prevents child
mortality and decreases the risk of non-communicable diseases (SDG3), and
supports cognitive development and education (SDG4). Breastfeeding is also an
enabler to ending poverty, promoting economic growth and reducing inequalities.

Co-led by UNICEF and WHO, the Global
Breastfeeding Collective’s mission is to rally political, legal,
financial, and public support for breastfeeding, which will benefit mothers,
children, and society.